New York State proposed law closes loophole that allows sale, possession of bump fire devices

The bump fire stock would be illegal to sell or own in New York under a proposed law. (GEORGE FREY/REUTERS)

In the wake of the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, several state lawmakers announced bills to outlaw a type of device that helps accelerate the firing rate of a semi-automatic weapon into more of a killing machine.

"It's a big darn deal," Fahy said of the bipartisan support. "I think it's a breakthrough."

The bill, which is also being co-sponsored by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx), would make it a crime in New York to sell, possess, manufacture or transport devices that modify firearms in ways that effectively make them an automatic weapon.

It's already illegal under state law to attach bump-fire stocks like the ones used by the Vegas shooter to firearms. Fahy's bill -— and a similar one by state Sens. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) and John Brooks (D-Nassau County) — seek to close a loophole that allows for the sale and possession of the deadly devices.

"We've crafted our bill in a way that shuts down the loophole while at the same time respecting the rights of responsible gun owners," Fahy said.

Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy (D-Albany) has introduced a bill to close the loophole. (Hans Pennink/AP)

She said her bill has a 120-day grace period for gun owners who already have bump fire stocks, trigger cranks, or similar devices to turn them in without penalty.

It makes possession and sale of the devices a misdemeanor while the manufacturing or transport of them would be a felony.

"These types of conversion devices have no practical or innocent purpose," Heastie said. "They are intended to be used to kill large numbers of innocent people and we must do everything in our power to prevent these abhorrent acts of violence

Lanza could not be reached.

The Hoylman-Brooks bill would make it a felony to possess, sell or transport firearm accessories like bump-fire stocks.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is a co-sponsor of the bil. (Susan Watts/New York Daily News)

"There can be no lawful purpose to possess a firearm accessory that enables a single individual to unleash almost limitless carnage," Hoylman said. "It is time to close this loophole once and for all."

Hoylman said Congress' lack of action on gun control measures makes it imperative for the states to act.

Brooks called the bill "common sense legislation."

Officials from the State Police and state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office said under current law it is already illegal to attach bump-fire stocks or similar accessories to a firearm.

State Police did not take a position on the need for legislation to outlaw the sale and possession of such devices. A spokesman said current state law prohibits the possession of not only a machine-gun but also any "weapon simulating a machine-gun and which is adaptable for such use."

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Police form a perimeter around the road leading to the Mandalay Hotel after a gunman killed 58 people and wounded more than 400 others Sunday. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Those in Schneiderman's office said they would not necessarily oppose a bill even though they, too, believe the devices are already illegal under state law as soon as they are affixed to a weapon.

Tom King, president of the state Rifle and Pistol Association and an NRA board member from New York, wouldn't comment on the specifics of the bills.

"They can do whatever they want," King said. "I just think it's much too early to discuss this. It's the typical liberals, who are using a tragedy to try and move their goals."

Outside of New York, California definitively restricts the sale of bump fire devices, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.